Wondering if this is enough to make a laser?

[BiasP11]

I'm building a laser that runs in 1 -5 second pulses in a semiautomatic fashion.

Goals----------------------------------------------------------
1. 1000-5000mW for power
2. above power at a range of a few (<10) meters
3. relatively small size (nothing should be more than 4cm x 4cm in width)
4. dependable, moderately long lifespan
5. should be able to burn some wood with one pulse with steady hand

Skills----------------------------------------------------------
1. soldering
2. college math (up to calculus 2)
3. college physics (3 semesters)

Planned Resources---------------------------------------------
1. C-mount laser host and cooling platform
2. C-mount laser diode!!! (will not be IR; this is an analog)
3. Rechargable battery (end voltage will meet diode requirements)

Questions-----------------------------------------------------
1. Do I need other materials to protect the diode? (I am thinking of a few toroids to regulate voltage spikes)
2. Will the heating be excessive?
3. Will the diode meet my goals?
4. Am I missing anything?

 

[Jacob32123]

You won't be able to see the output of that diode. It's infrared. We don't usually recommend lasers that can set walls on fire, and have (invisible) reflections that can blind you instantly as a first time laser.

For anything >5mW, you need laser safety goggles.

You also need a laser driver. You should read http://laserpointerforums.com/f51/i-want-build-laser-thread-52972.html

One last thing, this forum is a wealth of information. Using the search feature will answer a lot of your questions.

 

[BiasP11]

You won't be able to see the output of that diode. It's infrared. We don't usually recommend lasers that can set walls on fire, and have (invisible) reflections that can blind you instantly as a first time laser.

Thanks; I will go for whichever tends to scatter the least (which would be?).

For anything >5mW, you need laser safety goggles.

Got that covered; safety first!

You also need a laser driver. You should read http://laserpointerforums.com/f51/i-want-build-laser-thread-52972.html

I can build one of these

One last thing, this forum is a wealth of information. Using the search feature will answer a lot of your questions.

Yeah, thanks for all the help; you made a very happy noob out of me!

 

[Photonz]

and not just any goggles either. I recommend survival laser, dragonlasers, and zonestealth for good affordable laser goggles. good luck on the build:beer:

 

[BiasP11]

By the way, are the goggles to protect me from blasting my retinas(direct/reflected), or to prevent me from blinding myself when I shine it at something like paper?

 

[Photonz]

anything above OD+4 like the ones i listed, should protect you from direct hits from a couple of watts

and the cheap ebay ones that say OD+5 are not really OD+5 more like OD+1 or 2

 

[Jacob32123]

By the way, are the goggles to protect me from blasting my retinas(direct/reflected), or to prevent me from blinding myself when I shine it at something like paper?

If this was a blue laser, chances are, when you shine the beam at paper (which will be too bright to look at), you will squint or close your eyes to prevent damage (but not always before damage has occurred). One if the risks with an infrared laser is that you can't see the light that is damaging your eye. Looking at the spot of a 4 watt laser is dangerous, and your brain won't know to squint or close your eyes as a reflex, because you won't know that it is blinding you.

Using goggles doesn't hurt, and is always advised when working with powerful lasers of any color, and required to safely work with an infrared laser.

 

[Cyparagon]

I'm building a laser that runs in 1 -5 second pulses in a semiautomatic fashion.

For what purpose? Tell us more about your project please.

 

[BiasP11]

For what purpose?

Semi-portable cockroach-blaster

I have a very low tolerance towards cockroaches (plentiful where I live), so I felt that this was the cleanest way to kill them. It is also a learning project for me, as it will help me learn more electronics and optics.

Tell us more about your project please.

It doesn't have to be the laser blaster you see in films; I know laser has its limitations. It just has to be enough to disable cockroaches in quick pulses, have relative prescision at 5m or so with another laser guide.

I currently have a host, heatsink, and diode ordered, but I still need a driver. I'll be getting a Buck driver, but an adjustable 5A 2V one is hard to find cheap.

 

[Jacob32123]

Semi-portable cockroach-blaster

I have a very low tolerance towards cockroaches (plentiful where I live), so I felt that this was the cleanest way to kill them. It is also a learning project for me, as it will help me learn more electronics and optics.



It doesn't have to be the laser blaster you see in films; I know laser has its limitations. It just has to be enough to disable cockroaches in quick pulses, have relative prescision at 5m or so with another laser guide.

I currently have a host, heatsink, and diode ordered, but I still need a driver. I'll be getting a Buck driver, but an adjustable 5A 2V one is hard to find cheap.

http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/anti-cockroach-laser-device-67385.html

 

[BiasP11]

http://laserpointerforums.com/f44/anti-cockroach-laser-device-67385.html

Not just as that, a learning experience too. The cockroach was my original inspiration.

 

[IsaacT]

Couple of things: your size limitations, 4cm x 4cm is just the width right? Because it still needs to be long enough to hold the battery. Also, what host are you using? That will affect battery options and what driver you can use.

 

[BiasP11]

Couple of things: your size limitations, 4cm x 4cm is just the width right? Because it still needs to be long enough to hold the battery. Also, what host are you using? That will affect battery options and what driver you can use.

Length is not a problem; the host can be found here.

Heat should not be a problem; I will only run it in pulses.

I think the wires on that host look thick enough to handle 4.8A; will it?

 

[Cyparagon]

The diodes available are not powerful enough to do anything besides annoy a roach at 10m. Even if they were, you would set your house on fire in several places before doing any damage to the roach. Sorry to tell you this, but this really isn't practical and you are doomed to failure.

 

[benmwv]

I agree you should get a bb gun.

If you are wanting to build it yourself then go for a coil gun!

Edit: oh it was in the linked cockroach thread where they suggested a bb gun haha.

 

[HitShane]

I live in Florida and palmetto bugs tend to get in open doors... I hate them myself. I adopted a 2 year old cat and have not seen a single bug in my apt for over 2 years... She eats them

When I first got my 445nm laser, I shot everything in my house. It burns things instantly and left several burn marks in the floors, walls, and curtains. The wife almost killed me... Long story short, your going to damage your house, yourself, or someone else; while chasing a roach around.